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The RSPCA is appealing for information after a cat and her four kittens were abandoned in a hospital toilet in Stockport.

The tortoiseshell mum and her kittens – one female and three males, all around eight weeks old – were found in a blue cat carrier in the public toilets at Stepping Hill Hospital on the afternoon of Sunday, 4 September.

The cats are now in the RSPCA’s care at the charity’s Altrincham branch, where they have been named after famous people in medicine – Florence (Nightingale), Marie (Curie), Edward (Jenner), Alexander (Fleming) and Louis (Pasteur).

RSPCA inspector Nadine Pengilly said: “The cats were all huddled together in this cat carrier. Thankfully they were found very quickly as they had been dumped in a public place, but it would have still been distressing for them to have been left like this.

“They have been checked over by a vet and are doing well. They are now with our Altrincham branch and are available for rehoming. We’d love to see them go to loving homes and we urge anyone who is thinking about getting cat to consider adopting one.

“We’re also keen to find out who dumped the cats. Anyone who has any information should contact the RSPCA in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018.”

Every year the RSPCA and other animal welfare charities see a spike in kittens being abandoned in the spring/summer months after unplanned pregnancies result in unwanted litters.

Inspector Pengilly said: “It is so important to make sure your cats are neutered because it will put an end to unwanted litters. Sadly we do see kittens being abandoned during ‘kitten season’ – this is the time of year when most kittens are born, so we do urge people to do the responsible thing and to get their cats neutered.”

Anyone who is interested in adopting one of the cats should contact the RSPCA’s Altrincham branch on 0161 286 250.

The RSPCA is a charity and we rely on public donations to exist. To assist our inspectors in carrying out their vital work please text HELP to 78866 to give £3. (Texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message.)